Otto Charles Wigand (American, active in France and New York, 1856-1944), oil on canvas landscape painting, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. "Signed on reverse of original canvas - Otto C. Wigard" according to a handwritten note on back of newer stretcher. A striking landscape painting of a picturesque natural setting at dusk and reflecting the academic leanings of this well-trained artist. Wigand studied at the Art Students League in New York and moved to Paris in 1884 to study art at the Academie Julien. Like many American artists, Otto Wigand was also part of a summer art colony in Brittany, France where his colleagues included none other than Paul Gauguin and Arthur Dow. However, Otto - being loyal to his academic training - was less interested than his colleagues in experimenting with Post-Impressionist subjects and styles. Size: 15" W x 12" H (38.1 cm x 30.5 cm); 24.875" W x 22" H (63.2 cm x 55.9 cm) including frame.

An old label on the verso of the frame notes that Wigand studied at the Art Student's League in New York and with (Gustave) Boulanger and (Jules Joseph) Lefebvre in Paris - that he was a member of N.Y.W.C.C. (New York Water Color Club), and was listed in American Art Annual from 1919 onward.

Born in New York, Otto Charles Wigand lived with his wife, the artist Adeline Albright Wigand who studying with William Merritt Chase and was in the Columbianum World Exposition in Chicago in 1893, in Staten Island. The Staten Island Museum hosted an exhibition entitled, "Beauty Rediscovered: Paintings by Adeline Albright Wigand & Otto Charles Wigand" (June 24, 2010 - January 17, 2011), and here is what the curatorial team had to say about Otto Charles Wigand, "Otto’s work reflects little of the modernism of Paul Gauguin and the artists at PontAven whom he worked alongside, but at his best, his skills as a draftsman and his impressionistic landscapes and genre scenes reveal a surety of touch and sincere charm ..." (http://www.statenislandmuseum.org/images/uploads/files/wigand_brochure_revised.pdf)

The curators also note that very little biographical information about Wigand is known. They do write, "Otto Charles Wigand was born in New York City on June 8, 1856. While he was still a child, his family moved to Mt. Vernon, New York, where he attended school. Otto Charles was a second-generation immigrant of German ancestry, and he was fluent in German. . . The Wigands were among hundreds of eager Americans crowding the schools and salons of Paris in the 1880s, hoping to gain refinement in their skills and to exhibit at the salons that could help the artists make names for themselves when they returned to New York."

Hammer price for a painting by Otto Charles Wigand entitled, "Boy by the Sea" was $1600 - William Doyle, 18 November 1998. Christie's New York sold Wigand's painting entitled, "Classical Figures Listening to a Lyre" - American Paintings - Including Drawings & Sculpture, 23 May 1995, Lot 41, hammer price $2,400.

Provenance: private Los Angeles County, California, USA collection

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#135980

A very small loss to upper left corner of painting. Otherwise very good with nice craquelure. Canvas was relined at some point, and a support for stretchers was replaced. Note on verso says "Signed on reverse of original canvas - Otto C. Wigard". Minor wear to the frame. Wired for suspension.